Luke 18:15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

THE GOSPEL

The Lord Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is God's only provision for sinners to be forgiven, redeemed and justified. Jesus Christ satisfied the righteous justice of God by paying the eternal punishment for sin when he died as man's substitute.

Any person who repents and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by grace through faith, no longer trusting in anyone or anything else for salvation, becomes a child of God and receives the gift of eternal life

The Bible says that mankind has a problem, and that problem is called sin. Sin is any action or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard. Every one of us has the problem of sin (Romans 3:23). And the Bible teaches us that there is a consequence to sin - sin separates us from a holy God (Habakkuk 1:13). In fact, the Bible tells us that end result of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that there is nothing that we ourselves can do to solve the problem of sin.

The Bible says that there is a solution to the problem of sin, and that solution is the person of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that he sent Jesus, His only Son, to die in our place (John 3:16). Jesus paid the penalty of your sin so that you would not have to be forever separated from God (I John 4:10). The Bible also tells us that Jesus is the only solution for our sin problem (John 14:6).

The Bible demands a decision. It is not enough to just know about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for you. You must choose to put your trust in Christ, to receive this free gift of salvation that God offers (John 1:12).

All of us have the problem of sin. There is only one solution to the problem - the person of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for us. Every one of us must decide...

Dt. 6:4-5. However, before sin entered the world man's purpose was to serve God and glorify Him.

Matt. 22:34-40. Therefore, man is now living in an abnormal condition.

Rom. 3:10, 5:6-9; Lk. 5:31,32 There is none righteous, no not one!

Rom. 3:23. Everyone, without exception, is a sinner.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Is. 64:6-7. God views our good deeds as "filthy rags."

Eph. 2:8-9. Good works cannot save us.

3. THE LAW

Ex. 20:1-20. The Ten Commandments.

Mt. 22:34-40. If we disobey the 1st & 2nd greatest commandments we have broken all of the Bible’s laws.

Ja. 2:10-11. If we break one commandment we’ve broken them all.

Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:24. The purpose of the Ten Commandments is to reveal sin in us and disclose our inability in keeping the law’s demands. This creates an attitude of desperation in sinners to be delivered from the guilt and penalty of the law. Christ alone is the sinners hope.

4. THE VANITY OF LIFE

Heb. 9:27. Three things are common to all: Life, Death, & Judgment.

2 Pet. 3:8; Ja. 4:13-14. Life Is relatively short: Eccl. 12:8,13,14,

Life is vain: Solomon, the wisest man who lived, had everything this world has to offer yet he judged this life as totally vain and futile (2 Tim. 3:7).

Lk. 12:16-21. Have right priorities with God’s help.

Eccl. 5:15; 1 Tim. 6:7; Lk. 9:24. Live for Jesus Christ and not the world.

5. HELL & JUDGEMENT

Rev. 20:11-15. The great white throne judgment.

Matt. 25:41-46. Everlasting fire and punishment for the unsaved.

Heb. 9:27. After this life comes judgment.

Lk. 16:19-31. Hell is a place of unceasing pain and torment with no escape.

6. THE NEW BIRTH

Jn. 3:1-7. Jesus teaches that the "new birth" is necessary for salvation.

Jn. 1:13.

John 1:13 which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2 Cor. 5:17. To be born again means that our old life is replaced by a new one.

Eph. 4:21-24; Col. 3:9-10. When a person becomes "born again" the Bible describes him as a "new person," who brings forth new fruit.

Gal. 6:15. All that matters is that we become a "new creation."

7. GRACE

Eph. 2:8,9. Grace is a free gift, it is unmerited favor.

Acts 15:11. We are saved by the grace of Christ.

Rom. 4:3-5. Salvation is by grace through faith and not by the deeds of the law.

Tit. 3:5-7; Rom.3:24. We are "Justified" freely by His grace.

8. REPENTANCE

Lk. 13:3. Unless we repent, we will all perish.

Acts 3:19. We must repent and be converted.

Matt. 4:17. Jesus said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

Acts 26:20. We must repent and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.

I Jn. 1:9. If we confess our sins He will forgive us our sins.

Prov. 28:13. He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confess and forsakes them will have mercy.

Ps. 66:18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

9. FAITH

Heb. 11:6. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Jn. 20:24-29. Blessed are they who do not see yet believe.

Jn. 3:16-19. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal fife.

Eph. 2:8. We are saved by grace "through faith."

Gal. 3:23-26. We are saved through faith in Christ and not by keeping the law.